DRIVERS who fail to pay their parking fines will soon find bailiffs knocking at their doors, council chiefs in Oldham warned today.

DRIVERS who fail to pay their parking fines will soon find bailiffs knocking at their doors, council chiefs in Oldham warned today.

The borough council is sending them to the homes of some of the 3,000 motorists who have not paid up despite receiving a number of "red letters".

The bailiffs will be authorised to demand payment of the é60 fines plus fees, or to seize property such as the driver's car and other goods.

The get tough stance comes just a few weeks after parking attendants in the town were criticised for slapping fines on coaches picking up children from a Christmas pantomime.

Tony Noblet, Oldham council's assistant director for highways, said the local authority would take immediate action against drivers who fail to pay up despite repeated warnings.

He said: "Where a parking notice remains unpaid, several pieces of correspondence are sent out requesting payment. If this payment remains outstanding, we will not hesitate to apply for a warrant enforceable by bailiffs."

Property

The council has contracted two bailiffs firms, Equita Limited and Jacobs Bailiffs, to sweep up any outstanding parking and traffic notices in the borough.

It means those drivers who ignore warning letters about non-payment could see their property seized and sold to cover their debts.

A spokesman said they would be sent an initial notice demanding payment of the fine and fees.

Then certified bailiffs could also be issued warrants to call at motorists' homes and demand payment. The amount of fees to be paid will be set by law.

Property, such as the driver's car, could also be taken and sold at an action to cover the debt.

The bailiffs will carry an identification card and their details can be checked at the council's Parking Shop.

A similar scheme already operates in Manchester, where drivers who refuse to pay up 28 days after losing an appeal can be charged an extra 50 per cent on top of their fine.

The debt can then be registered with the county court and can be placed with certified bailiffs, who can take responsibility for collecting the debt - adding further costs to the charge.